A violent rollover accident in Chula Vista, California on the 805 freeway was responded to by firefighters, and ended up with a first responder in handcuffs. Firefighter Jacob Gregoire and his fire crew were on the scene after the crash was reported, shortly before 9:30 p.m. According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the crew positioned the fire engine to guard the victims being loaded inside the ambulance. Chula Vista Fire Chief, Dave Hanneman said “Our firefighters are trained to use the engine to protect the scene.” He added, "Our No. 1 priority is the safety of our firefighters and patients.”
When a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer arrived on the scene he instructed Gregoire to move the fire truck from the center divide (where it was shielding the ambulance and the injured). Conflicting reports say that Gregoire told the officer he would have to check with his captain before moving the fire truck, and others say that he refused and returned to administer aid to those involved in the crash. A KFMB CBS News 8 camera caught the outcome of their interaction. Gregoire, a 12 year firefighting veteran was handcuffed and detained by the CHP officer in the back of a patrol car for approximately 30 minutes.
Fire Chief Hanneman told The San Diego Union-Tribune, “We work on a chain of command…The officer said, ‘No, you need to move now or you’ll be arrested.’” Supervisors from CHP and the Chula Vista Fire Department were called in and Gregoire was released.
The two crash victims were transported to the hospital for treatment, however the extent of their injuries are unknown.
